Neck Pain

Definition

Neck pain is discomfort in any of the structures in the neck. These include the muscles, nerves, bones (vertebrae), joints, and the discs between the bones.

Alternative Names

Pain - neck; Neck stiffness; Cervicalgia; Whiplash; Stiff neck

Considerations

When your neck is sore, you may have difficulty moving it, especially turning to one side. Many people describe this as having a stiff neck.

If neck pain involves compression of your nerves, you may feel numbness, tingling, or weakness in your arm or hand.

Causes

A common cause of neck pain is muscle strain or tension. Most often, everyday activities are to blame. Such activities include:

Bending over a desk for hours

Having poor posture while watching TV or reading

Having your computer monitor positioned too high or too low

Sleeping in an uncomfortable position

Twisting and turning your neck in a jarring manner while exercising

Lifting things too quickly or with poor posture

Accidents or falls can cause severe neck injuries, such as vertebral fractures, whiplash, blood vessel injury, and even paralysis.

Other causes include:

Medical conditions, such as fibromyalgia

Cervical arthritis or spondylosis

Ruptured disk

Small fractures to the spine from osteoporosis

Spinal stenosis (narrowing of the spinal canal)

Sprains

Infection of the spine (osteomyelitis, discitis, abscess)

Torticollis

Cancer that involves the spine

Home Care

Treatment and self-care for your neck pain depend on the cause of the pain. You will need to learn:

How to relieve the pain

What your activity level should be

What medicines you can take

For minor, common causes of neck pain:

Take over-the-counter pain relievers such as ibuprofen (Advil, Motrin IB) or acetaminophen (Tylenol).

Apply heat or ice to the painful area. Use ice for the first 48 to 72 hours, and then use heat after that.

Apply heat with warm showers, hot compresses, or a heating pad. To prevent injury to your skin, DO NOT fall asleep with a heating pad or ice bag in place.

Stop normal physical activity for the first few days. This helps calm your symptoms and reduce inflammation.

Do slow range-of-motion exercises, up and down, side to side, and from ear to ear. This helps gently stretch the neck muscles.

Have a partner gently massage the sore or painful areas.

Try sleeping on a firm mattress with a pillow that supports your neck. You may want to get a special neck pillow.

Ask your health care provider about using a soft neck collar to relieve discomfort. However, using collar for a long time can weaken neck muscles. Take it off from time to time to allow the muscles to get stronger.

When to Contact a Medical Professional

Seek medical help right away if you have:

A fever and headache, and your neck is so stiff that you cannot touch your chin to your chest. This may be meningitis. Call your local emergency number (such as 911) or get to a hospital.

Symptoms of a heart attack, such as shortness of breath, sweating, nausea, vomiting, or arm or jaw pain.

Call your provider if:

Symptoms do not go away in 1 week with self-care

You have numbness, tingling, or weakness in your arm or hand

Your neck pain was caused by a fall, blow, or injury -- if you cannot move your arm or hand, have someone call 911

You have swollen glands or a lump in your neck

Your pain does not go away with regular doses of over-the-counter pain medicine

You have difficulty swallowing or breathing along with the neck pain

The pain gets worse when you lie down or wakes you up at night

Your pain is so severe that you cannot get comfortable

You lose control over urination or bowel movements

You have trouble walking and balancing

What to Expect at Your Office Visit

Your provider will perform a physical exam and ask about your neck pain, including how often it occurs and how much it hurts.

Your provider will probably not order any tests during the first visit. Tests are only done if you have symptoms or a medical history that suggests a tumor, infection, fracture, or serious nerve disorder. In that case, the following tests may be done:

X-rays of the neck

CT scan of the neck or head

Blood tests such as a complete blood count (CBC)

MRI of the neck

If the pain is due to muscle spasm or a pinched nerve, your provider may prescribe a muscle relaxant or a more powerful pain reliever. Over-the-counter medicines often work as well as prescription drugs. At times, your provider may give you steroids to reduce swelling. If there is nerve damage, your provider may refer you to a neurologist, neurosurgeon, or orthopedic surgeon for consultation.

A.D.A.M., Inc. is accredited by URAC, also known as the American Accreditation HealthCare Commission (www.urac.org). URAC's accreditation program is the first of its kind, requiring compliance with 53 standards of quality and accountability, verified by independent audit. A.D.A.M. is among the first to achieve this important distinction for online health information and services. Learn more about A.D.A.M.'s editorial process. A.D.A.M. is also a founding member of Hi-Ethics (www.hiethics.com) and subscribes to the principles of the Health on the Net Foundation (www.hon.ch).

The information provided herein should not be used during any medical emergency or for the diagnosis or treatment of any medical condition. A licensed physician should be consulted for diagnosis and treatment of any and all medical conditions. Call 911 for all medical emergencies. Links to other sites are provided for information only -- they do not constitute endorsements of those other sites. Copyright 2002 A.D.A.M., Inc. Any duplication or distribution of the information contained herein is strictly prohibited.